ethical

The word “ethical” means relating to principles of right and wrong conduct. In plain terms, concerning what is morally right, or actually being morally right.

“Ethical” is pronounced EH-thih-kuhl (/ˈɛθɪkəl/ in IPA).

Here is “ethical” used in a sentence: “The board discussed the ethical implications of the new policy.”

“Ethical” is an adjective.

The word “ethical” comes from Ancient Greek. From ethic + -al, ultimately from Ancient Greek êthos (\"character, moral nature\").

“Ethical” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

“Ethical” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to principles of right and wrong conduct.

Both words concern right and wrong conduct. Moral usually points to personal or societal standards of behaviour, while ethical often refers to codified principles governing a profession or field — hence medical ethics and legal ethics. In many sentences they are interchangeable, but ethical is the usual choice in professional and academic contexts.

Legal means permitted by law; ethical means in line with accepted principles of right and wrong. The two can come apart: an action may be legal but unethical, or ethical but against the law. Law is judged by statutes and courts, ethics by moral standards.

The direct opposite is unethical: breaking accepted standards of right and wrong. Immoral and amoral are related but different — immoral describes knowingly doing wrong, while amoral describes having no concern for morality at all.